Ronaldo treble puts Real in command

Cristiano Ronaldo notched another hat-trick as Real Madrid took control of their UEFA Champions League semi-final tie by beating Atletico Madrid 3-0 in the first leg at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday.

Real Madrid 3 Atletico Madrid 0

Ronaldo gives Real early lead

Atletico wasteful in possession

Ronaldo seals win with second-half brace

Match Summary

Los Colchoneros just had no answer to the defending champions and more importantly, Ronaldo, who opened the scoring early in the first half and added another two after the break to seal a comfortable victory over their cross-town rivals.

A post shared by Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) on May 2, 2017 at 1:38pm PDT

The hosts made a strong start as they went in search of an early advantage in the home leg, with Diego Simeone's side struggling to find their rhythm.

Ronaldo got a sight on goal in the fourth minute as play switched from the right flank, but the forward's left-footed shot from distance went well wide of the left post.

Dani Carvajal had their next chance three minutes later when he linked up with Isco on the right before breaking into the area, but his strike with the outside of the boot was saved by Jan Oblak and the rebound ended up being bundled out for a corner with Karim Benzema lurking.

But the opener wasn't long in coming as Los Blancos took the lead on 10 minutes, Ronaldo getting on the end of Casemiro's miscued volley to head home from six yards out.

Oblak was called into action again six minutes later with a diving save to push Raphael Varane's header around the right post from a corner, and the keeper gathered Isco's curler from the edge of the box on the left soon afterwards.

Atletico were very sloppy in possession but they almost found a way back in the 17th minute when Kevin Gameiro latched onto a through-ball and looked to round Keylor Navas, who did well to snuff out the danger.

After Oblak had held onto Benzema's first-time shot, Luka Modric went close in the 24th minute with a low strike from 19 yards out that flashed past the left post, after the Croatian midfielder had collected a punch from the keeper.

Benzema threatened again five minutes later with a bicycle-kick from Ronaldo's cross on the left that flew over the crossbar, while Diego Godin was presented with an opportunity in the 32nd minute as he connected with Antoine Griezmann's free-kick at the back post, but the Atleti skipper steered the ball across the face of goal.

Zinedine Zidane's men comfortably held onto their one-goal lead at the break, although the visitors made a better start in the second half as they looked for a way back into the tie.

Yannick Carrasco blazed over the bar from outside the box in the 57th minute, while Koke sent a volley well wide of the left post from distance three minutes later.

But Real soon settled and their dominance led to a second goal on 73 minutes, scored by Ronaldo as he lashed the ball past Oblak from the edge of the box after being teed up by Benzema.

Ronaldo had Lucas Vazquez to thank for his hat-trick goal five minutes from time, as the substitute raced onto his pass on the right and carried the ball to the byline before cutting it back to the Portuguese star, who took one touch and slotted easily past Oblak from eight yards out.